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Thursday, April 26, 2012

COMMUNITY INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPING STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FIVE-YEAR PLAN

Public meetings start May 2nd

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) State Historic Preservation
Division (SHPD) is holding community meetings statewide in May, starting next
week, to provide opportunity for public input on the development of the
2012-2017 State Historic Preservation Plan.

“Historic sites are tangible evidence of a colorful, rich heritage and provide
the community with a sense of continuity,” said Pua Aiu, SHPD administrator.
“The programs and services offered by SHPD are designed to promote the use and
maintenance of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and
enrichment of Hawai‘i’s citizens and visitors. Community input is
essential to help set priorities for the State Historic Preservation Plan and
will guide actions over the next five years.”

The meetings will begin with a presentation on historic preservation issues in
present-day Hawai‘i. Attendees will be invited to share their own
perceptions, including feedback on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
challenges for historic preservation.

Specifically, participants will have the opportunity to contribute to
discussion on a variety of topics, including:
Priorities for historic preservation in Hawai‘i and
individual communities
Key participants
Existing community resources
Identifying what other resources are needed

The development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide historic
preservation plan is one of the responsibilities of SHPD, under grant funding
it receives from the National Park Service (NPS).

“When meetings in every county are completed, we will have a clearer
perspective of historic preservation issues and concerns throughout the state,”
said Faith Sereno Rex, president of SMS Consulting, which is the lead
contractor responsible for completing the 2012-2017 State Historic Preservation
Plan. “We also hope to re-energize the community to be more active in historic
preservation activities. When people are involved in the planning process they
are more likely to stay active through implementation.“